Is there any .38/357 that can match a Ruger SP101?

Trouble is the Diamondback never was a .357....If you want a Colt that is built like a tank and won't break the bank, look for a 2" MK III Lawman. I have one. Even at 2" it is a handful of gun compared to my 2 1/4" SP101.

Charget Arms is again making a very good product. The prices are lower than Ruger too. You might like something from them.

Dan Wesson? I haven't seen the prices yet, but the used ones have been a real bargain.

Nope.

Nope,+1

Nope, + 2

Dan Wesson

nope

No doubt the SP101 fills a void in the market.

It is the only Ruger that I find interesting.

The only thing that I in that ilk is a used Model 19 but the rarity of the 3 inch would make it more expensive.

Personally I prefer to shoot a heavier gun, especially in 357 so I am happy with the heft of the SP101 but some would mention that as a fault. (I guess they are just tougher than me)

While we laud the SP101 we should mention its weaknesses as well. The trigger is not good out of the box and the billboard is obnoxious. While obviously a personal preference, the factory grip is not good for me...I would prefer Hogue's.

So in the end I agree with your premise. It is a good gun at a good price that fills a void in the market...but it is not perfect

Guillermo said:

No doubt the SP101 fills a void in the market.

It is the only Ruger that I find interesting.

The only thing that I in that ilk is a used Model 19 but the rarity of the 3 inch would make it more expensive.

Personally I prefer to shoot a heavier gun, especially in 357 so I am happy with the heft of the SP101 but some would mention that as a fault. (I guess they are just tougher than me)

While we laud the SP101 we should mention its weaknesses as well. The trigger is not good out of the box and the billboard is obnoxious. While obviously a personal preference, the factory grip is not good for me...I would prefer Hogue's.

So in the end I agree with your premise. It is a good gun at a good price that fills a void in the market.

Click to expand...

Would the Alaskan bore you to death?

Would the Alaskan bore you to death

Click to expand...

nope...beat me to death

The MK II and SP together:

I prefer my S&W Model 60 but for the dollar, the SP101 is tough to beat. Like Guillermo, I prefer a bit of heft in a Magnum revolver. IMHO, the lightweight Smiths and the LCR .357 are more like self-abuse than self-defense and give a whole new meaning to "cruisin' for a bruisin."

For less than ten bucks, the Wolff Spring Kit for the SP101 can take care of the Ruger's trigger problems. Comparing prices at Bud's Gun Shop, the SP101 and the spring kit would run about $475 plus shipping and transfer fees on the gun. That compares to $601 plus transfer fees for the Model 60.

If you want a steel framed 357 snubbie, I think the SP-101 is one of the better choices. I prefer Smith's and Colts, but you pay for them. And yes, I would pay extra for the Smith and I do. I really like the GP-100, but it is a larger framed revolver.

I think you can forget about Colt making a Diamondback again. Diamondbacks are my favorite revolver, but I really like the Model 57 Smith too. The Mark III or Mark V Colt revolvers are very good.

I like the hunt for Colts. This one was unfired in the box and set me back about the price of a brand new SP.

TexasBill, that's exactly what the SP101 has......a BIT of heft!!
But more than enough, IMHO, and yours too, it looks like. Me and a buddy were shooting my 3" SP101 a weekend or two ago,and the recoil from 142 gr. Fiocchi .357's never even came up in conversation. It was a non-issue.
I agree that the 101 has a horrible trigger from the factory, but after consulting the hive here a few months ago, I installed a Wolff 10 lb. spring myself, and now this thing is a sweetie !!!
If you're interested in a small-mid sized .357, especially for the money,the SP101 just can't be beat.

I have a S&W MOdel 60-15 3" Bbl. .357 Mag it's only a couple oz. less in
weight but forged steel. Get back to me in 10 years and we'll compared used prices speaking of.


Bang for the buck - get a used S&W 686 for near the same price as
a new SP101

Bang for the Buck 357 NEw? GP100

R-

gp100 is more bang for the buck.

Yeah, but a GP or 686 is a lot tougher to use as a CCW piece, which I think is what kind of gun the OP was referring to.

Nice Colt, Python!

Depends on what you want. I don't care for the Ruger on any level. I find it ugly and clunky looking. Strong? Are they? I've never had any problems with my Colts or Smiths. I think I would prefer the forged frame of a S&W to the investment cast frame on the Ruger. I think people believe the Ruger to be strong because of its bulk. But that's just a necessity of the cast frame.

Ruger owners seem to love their guns. But they don't interest me at all.

Give me a 586 any day for target shooting and competition. To my way of thinking, a .357 isn't a concealed carry piece---at least for me any way.

For the criteria you set up the Ruger wins hands down, with one exception. That exception would be finding a used shooter grade S&W M-27, or M-28, but neither are CCW weapons.

In the larger sized revolvers-4"+, I prefer the S&W(686). In the 357 2" - Ruger SP101. But in the pocket guns-12 oz.- I like the Ruger LCR- to me, it has a smoother trigger.